Lufthansa launches first biofuel-based commercial service
18 Jul 2011
Lufthansa has launched the world's first ever daily commercial passenger service operating on biofuel. The four Hamburg-Frankfurt return daily flights will be the first in the world to use a biofuel blend.
The blend will use 50 per cent Hydro-Processed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA).
Lufthansa has made its move after the world fuels standards body, the ASTM, approved the use of this type of fuel on 1 July this year and published the approved standards on 13 July.
The service will be operated by an A321, equipped with IAE engines (International Aero Engines).
Airbus, as the aircraft manufacturer, will provide technical assistance and monitor fuel properties at its end.
The new service will continue for six months initially as part of the 'Burn Fair' R&T project to study the long term impact of sustainable biofuels on aircraft performance.
